Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) West, Benjamin, 1738–1820, American historical painter who worked in England. He was born in Springfield, Pa., in a house that is now a memorial museum at Swarthmore College. After some instruction ...

(Encyclopedia) Calixtus III, Callixtus III, or Callistus III, 1378–1458, pope (1455–58), a Spaniard (b. Játiva) named Alonso de Borja or, in Italian, Alfonso Borgia; successor of Nicholas V. He acted as arbitr...

(Encyclopedia) Berlin, Conference of, 1884–85, international meeting aimed at settling the problems connected with European colonies in Africa. At the invitation of the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck, represe...

(Encyclopedia) Stephen the Great, d.1504, prince of Moldavia (1457–1504). A great military and political leader, Stephen consolidated princely authority, furthered economic prosperity, and reorganized the army, th...

(Encyclopedia) Commonwealth games, series of amateur athletic meets held among citizens of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Originated (1930) as the British Empire games, the series is held every four years...

(Encyclopedia) Cavan, town, seat of Co. Cavan, N Republic of Ireland. It is a farm market with some light industry. The Roman Catholic and Anglican dioceses are in Cav...

(Encyclopedia) Stair, John Dalrymple, 2d earl of, 1673–1747, Scottish general and diplomat; son of the 1st earl of Stair. He began a military career in the Netherlands, but on his father's death returned home and ...

(Encyclopedia) Schulenburg, Ehrengard Melusina von der, duchess of Kendal āˈrəngärt mālo͞ozēˈnä fən dĕr sho͞oˈlənbo͝orkh [key], 1667–1743, German mistress of George I of England. She became his mist...

(Encyclopedia) Amesbury āmzˈbərē [key], town, Wiltshire, S central England. Located on Salisbury plain, the town is among the oldest continuously settled locations in Great Britain. In 980 the widow of King Edga...

(Encyclopedia) Grierson, Sir George Abraham grĭrˈsən [key], 1851–1941, Irish philologist. Besides writing grammars of many modern Indian vernaculars, Grierson directed the compilation of the great Linguistic Su...